UP-Dated Built-in

WARNING: long post ahead!  But don't worry- it'll be informative AND have a few pretty pictures! When I'm coming up with my plans for my flips, there's a delicate balance between keeping original charm and getting rid of dated design features.

Exhibit A

Built-in = original charm..... almost arm-deep = awkward......scallops = dated!

I think the scallops were the first thing I ripped out in the house.  I attempted to remove the fake wood paneling from all 3 sides of the shelves, but I just couldn't get in there without causing injury (even my attempts caused several bruises and band-aids).  For the past 4 months, the poor built-in has sat in this sorry state:

But I had a plan for it!  And now, I think it's hitting all the right notes!

Original charm- CHECK

Fresh and clean-CHECK

Usable space-CHECK

Free of awkward and dated design features- CHECK CHECK!

It surprisingly only took me a day to build.  Wood working projects are probably the most fun for me- that and tiling.  You see things come together right before your eyes.

Supplies:

2x4s for structure

thin plywood for the sides, back and 'ceiling' on the top shelf (I actually used materials left over from the bathroom paneling)

1x2 pine decorative trim

Screws and nails

Half of the work in projects like this is just the figuring out and planning what you want to do.  The other half is playing with power tools (fun AND fun!)

My first step to make my plans happen was to create a new structure with 2x4s to reduce the size of the shelves.  I pre-drilled screw holes using my Kreg jig, however, even the best laid plans don't always work out.

I forgot to take into account the size of the drill and it wouldn't fit in the 2 shorter shelves to allow me to use my carefully planned holes.  Womp womp.  Luckily, I was able to screw in the side and no one will be able to tell in the end.

When installing the 2x4s, I made sure to use my level so that each piece of the hidden structure would be straight.

Next it was ply-wood's turn.

I put a piece of plywood on the new back as well as on both sides since the side walls were a bit damaged.  I'll admit, the back 'wall' between the 2x4s is a little bouncy, but since the back is purely decorative, I opted not to add additional structure.

Looking better already!  Next it was time for the finish trim.  This was the part that really modernized this project.  Sides first, then I measured in between.

To install the trim, I used my nail gun and 2" finish nails, to attach them both the the walls and the shelves.

To spare you additional boring pictures, I patched holes, primed, and then sanded before getting to caulking all the corners.  I used my go-to caulk method: a squeeze tube of caulk (easier to maneuver than a caulk gun), and a small bucket of water.  I use the bucket to both dunk my hand before wiping down a bead of caulk, but to also wash the caulk off my hand as I go- it get's very sticky otherwise.  The caulk magically filled all the gaps at the joints and gives it a professional, finished look.  In the pic below, just look at the contrast between the bottom, caulked shelf and the top uncaulked shelf.

Ta da!

Meanwhile across the room, the doors were getting fresh paint and new pulls.

Once all the caulk was dry, the built-in got several layers of white semi-gloss trim paint. I allowed the paint to dry overnight before I layered on the tchotchkes..... I mean styled it.

Just updating the built-in makes the entire open living/dining area look clean, fresh, and updated, but will still charm the pants off of any buyer.

Get your wallet ready... you can buy this house NEXT WEEK!!!  Can you tell I'm excited to finish up?

Grover: Week 16

I hope you enjoy these weekly updates as I learn to navigate through the business of flipping houses.  Check out more about this flip, Grover, or check out posts about our last flip HERE. Happy 4th of July!!

And it is.  This is the first week where I actually believe that this house will be done soon- progress took visual leaps and bounds!

The biggest single transformation happened outside.

It looked like this a little over a week ago:

Not horrific, but nothing to turn your head.

I curb-appealed the crap out of this house this week!

I trimmed bushes, weeded lots, planted hydrangea and flowers, spread 19 bags of mulch, updated the lamp post with a new topper and some spraypaint, spraypainted the old house #s, installed a new mailbox and light on the house, finished painting the front door AND had a pro painter paint the foundation, stairs and garage door.  Phew!

No major changes, but it just looks so much fresher.

Inside is really starting to show the light at the end of the tunnel too.  Literally.  In addition to the 3 exterior exterior lights that I installed (including one on the back), I also installed 3 lights inside.  3 sexy lights inside.

And look!  Completed cabinets! (minus one panel that I just exchanged at IKEA cuz they gave me the wrong piece)

I've been using my flips as an excuse to experiment with different kitchen finishes.  These cabinets aren't my favorite that I've used so far, but they're totally going to look amazing once the countertop gets installed (Tuesday) and the backsplash gets tiled.

And speaking of tile- she's gonna be purdy.  I know I've professed my love for tiling backsplashes before and this house will be no different.  I just have to figure out if I can use my existing tools to cut glass mosaics.  Anyone have experience with that?

Across the room in the dining room, I finally got around to updating the built-in and what an impact!  (yes, Mom, I did steal inspiration from yours).  After removing the old scallop trim back in demo, I added a new, shallower back, added new trim, and am painting the doors.  Instant(ish) charm in the dining room.  Detailed how-to/before & after coming on Monday!

While I had my chop saw set up, I also cut all the pieces of new baseboard for the living/dining/kitchen.  You may remember when we bought the house, all that baseboard had been at one point replaced with door trim and looked quite silly.  I'll be painting and installing these new pieces within the next few days.

Oh, and after much debating and ignoring the putrid paneled room in the basement , I finally decided to have the painter come back and turn it white.  It would take me at least a week to prep, prime, and paint that garishly high gloss paneling- he's planning to bang it out in a day with his high powered sprayer and super gripping primer.  Deal.  One less thing on my to-finish list before we can SELL!  Fingers crossed that this house sells faster than the last, I'm not sure my fragile ego can handle another house sitting on the market for months.

Have a great holiday weekend!!

Grover: Week 15

I hope you enjoy these weekly updates as I learn to navigate through the business of flipping houses.  Check out more about this flip, Grover, or check out posts about our last flip HERE. This week, I decided to put aside my animosity of my paint brushes and bond once again.  And boy did I.  I painted practically everything on the kitchen side of the house.  Trim, interior doors, exterior doors, ceiling, walls....myself... (pro tip- it's usually best NOT to sit on paint tin lids)

All in preparation for.....

Kitchen!

or almost

An early morning yesterday to meet the installers may have lead to a large coffee, which may have lead to over-caffination, then subsequently awkward happy dancing and buying tiles at the ReStore that I don't need but couldn't stop thinking about....  But anyway, getting the kitchen installed really means that the end is near!!  (if you ignore the basement... it'll be our dirty little secret currently)

Meanwhile, outside the house, I've hired a painter to repaint the house's foundation, garage door, and retaining wall.  That was part of my never ending debate of time vs. $$.  Could I paint that stuff myself?- of course!  BUT we want this house listed sometime this decade and I need to delegate.  It's currently been pressure washed, so it's in the state of "worse before it gets better"

I did, however attack the front door myself (after a day or so of color deliberation and swatch painting)

The door told me it wanted to be red.  It did!  I tried yellow and green, but the red felt a bit traditional, with a touch of "look at me."  It clearly still needs at least another coat if not more, which will deepen the color a bit, but curb appeal is imminent.

I am reluctantly showing you this next image, but let me set the stage first.  In painting the door, I also painted and patched the trim around it and temporarily removed the house #s.  They'll get spraypainted and reinstalled, but currently the house is numberless.... and the kitchen installers were coming.  Soooo I took a brush I had on hand and some wet paint from that day's painting.... and butchered the ugly old mail box.  I'm replacing it anyway- it's a rusted pile of {insert word here}.  This will just be incentive for me to get the #s back up and replace the mailbox ASAP.

There's my artistic skills at work.  Don't be jealous.

I'm finally feeling good about where I'm at with this house.  We're planning to list in just over 2 weeks, so the hustle is ON.  I know the upstairs is going to knock it out of the park... let's hope I can get the basement cleaned up and less creepy by then too.  Fingers crossed!